FORCE
E
IC
L
O
P
W
S
N
e
f
a
S
e
m
Ho
?
E
R
U
C
E
S
E
M
O
H
R
U
O
Y
IS
This brochure is intended to provide your household with
the latest information regarding home security and break-in
prevention. You will learn how to evaluate the level of security
that currently exists in your home and how to better protect
you and your family from break and enter related crimes.
A large number of break and enter crimes are easily preventable. By introducing a number of simple and inexpensive
changes to your home, you can play an active role in reducing the chances of this happening in your home.
You have worked hard to obtain items and possessions within your home, so it makes sense to ensure thieves
don’t have easy access to them.
By securing your home you significantly lower the risk of you and your family becoming victims of crime. Burglary can
have a serious impact on families and individuals in a number of different ways. Many people often feel violated and
have difficulty overcoming such experiences.
The New South Wales Police Force has a number of initiatives to catch thieves. By securing your residence adequately,
together we can seek to limit the impact of break and enter crimes within New South Wales.
The initial cost of securing your home could save you thousands of dollars and considerable time in replacing stolen
property. To help reduce the cost and impact of break and enter crimes, NRMA Insurance are providing their support
to help residents of New South Wales protect their homes from thieves.
IS YOUR HOME SECURE
S
M
E
T
I
Y
T
I
R
U
HOME SEC
DOOR LOCKS
ome security starts at your front door. Many burglaries occur because people fail to lock them before leaving the house
H
even for a short period. There are a number of products available on the market and a locksmith will be able to identify
which is most suitable for your home situation.
A peep hole (door viewer) allows you to recognise the person before you open the door for them.
If your home has a security screen door installed, keep it locked.
number of burglars enter homes through the garage. If there is access from the garage, ensure this door is locked
A
when leaving the house.
WINDOW LOCKS
indows are also a key entry point for burglars. All windows throughout the house must be locked. Window locks are
W
generally inexpensive and are designed for all types of windows. Again if unsure about which locks are best suited seek
advice from a locksmith.
Windows leading into the garage also need to be locked.
If window locks are key operated, do not leave the keys in the locks. Thieves may break glass to unlock windows.
Metal security grilles or shutters may be installed to restrict access to your home. However, caution should be exercised
because if the shutters are not properly installed, they can trap occupants in an emergency such as a fire.
Ensure doors and windows are mounted with non-removable screws.
SECURITY LIGHTING
Criminals don’t like to be seen. Security lighting can be installed around the perimeter of your property, including
over entry ways, along your driveway and the back of the house, revealing any possible hiding places for thieves.
The lighting should be checked regularly and maintained.
Consider using light timers to turn these lights on/off when not at home.
HOME ALARM SYSTEMS
An intruder alarm system can be used to enhance the physical security of your home. The intruder alarm system should
be manufactured and installed to the Australian Standards for Domestic Applications. The system should be designed to
provide maximum coverage of the home and garage.
Always remember to regularly check the battery and test the system.
If you have an alarm system, be sure to use it each time you leave home.
Even with home alarm systems, you should always lock doors and windows.
HOME SECURITY ITEMS
RY
O
T
N
E
V
N
I
PROPERTY
Ensure you keep a detailed inventory of all valuable
property. Creating an inventory involves marking
your property with your name and/or driver’s licence
number and recording identifiers such as:
• manufacturer
• model name/number
• serial number and
• colour
A copy of these details should be stored in a safe place at
another address – perhaps with a relative or friend, or at your
work address. It is also a wise idea to include photographs of
your belongings which can help identify your valuables if they
are stolen.
ENGRAVING AND INVISIBLE MARKINGS
The engraving procedure is suitable for hard surfaces only.
Engrave or etch your property with a traceable number, e.g.
your driver’s licence number for NSW Police identification.
Ensure that you have adequate levels of insurance for the
replacement of property. Please note: be sure that engraving
of new property does not void the warranty of that item.
For items that cannot be engraved, marking can be achieved
using an ultra-violet pen. This procedure causes no harm to the
item and is only visible using an ultra-violet light. This kind of
invisible marking fades over time and needs to be renewed.
It is best to renew the markings when checking house or fire
alarm batteries.
Many councils or local police stations will assist you with this
activity. For advice on engraving or marking your property
contact your local police station.
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF ITEMS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER MARKING:
Items in and out of
the home:
Photograph items of significant
value indicating size:
• Cameras
• Jewellery
• Televisions
• Antiques
• Radios and CDs
• Watches
• Kitchen goods
• Artworks
• Computers
• Collections, coins, stamps etc.
• Office equipment
• Musical instruments
• Gaming consoles
• All garden and power tools
• Bicycles
PROPERTY INVENTORY
Y?
A
D
I
L
O
H
A
G
N
I
N
N
A
L
P
ARE YOU
Many break and enter offences occur during the holiday
season. A large number of break and enters occur when
your home appears to look unlived in and it becomes
obvious that no one is home. If you are planning a holiday:
•C
heck that everything is locked and secured before leaving.
Lock ALL windows, doors, garden shed, gates, garages and
any other areas of your home that are able to be secured.
• Ask a friend or neighbour to park in your driveway.
•A
sk trusted friends or neighbours to clear your mailbox and
check on your home occasionally while you are away; advise
them of where you can be contacted.
• Make sure that the lawn does not become overgrown.
• Stop all deliveries that you are expecting.
• E nsure your phone message doesn’t state that you are away
on holidays as this may give thieves the information that
they desire.
•P
ay essential services bills in advance: electricity, gas, water,
telephone so that your supply continues while you’re away.
• If valuable items are left in the home ensure that your
Property Inventory is up-to-date.
• L ock the electricity meter box to prevent thieves interfering
with your power supply or security lighting (contact your
local electricity provider for more information).
•C
heck with your local police station to see if they offer
patrol services for unattended residences during holiday
season.
•W
hen packing for a holiday, avoid packing your vehicle the
night before as it will become an attractive target for a thief.
PLANNING A HOLIDAY
LE
T
S
A
C
R
U
O
Y
G
N
I
T
C
E
T
O
H E L P, P R
Whether you own or rent,
your home should be a safe haven.
Most homeowners and renters spend tens of thousands of
dollars fitting their home with contents like appliances and
furnishings. Additionally, the amount spent on purchases
such as clothes and entertainment items like cameras and
CDs can also be significant. All these are investments which
are worth protecting.
NRMA Insurance has unique insights into what thieves target,
who is most at risk and how one can minimise that risk
around your home.
For example, our claims data reveal that the most common
claims following a burglary include cameras and camera
accessories. Games consoles and accessories, jewellery and
computers have also proven to be popular among thieves.
Thieves are most likely to strike when someone is away from
the home and often target young people, renters and unit
dwellers. The most common entry point for a burglar is simply
through the front door or an open window. Often thieves
return to the ‘scene of the crime’ within three months of a
previous break-in once the owners have had sufficient time to
replace the stolen items.
Monitored security alarms have proven to be the most
effective way to combat thieves. Ideally, they should be
visible from the street, make a loud noise and be linked to
a security service that monitors and responds when activated.
NRMA Insurance recognises customers with alarms by offering
premium reductions off home contents insurance policies.
Although many Australians are underinsured, it is an easy
task to make sure your home is well protected. Take the time
to review your insurance policy cover regularly – particularly
following a major purchase. Alternatively, you can use
the NRMA Insurance online calculators, which do all the
calculations for you. Simply visit
www.nrma.com.au/pub/nrma/home/homecalculators.shtml
HELP, PROTECTING YOUR CASTLE
T
S
I
L
K
C
E
H
C
SECURITY
3 Is your street number clearly visible?
Clearly visible street numbers allow emergency services to find your home.
3 Are warning signs displayed?
Warning signs can be displayed around the perimeter of your home
and property advising of the security measures in place to deter
potential intruders.
the fences and gates on your property able to restrict access
3 Are
to your property?
Sturdy fences and gates with good locks are a strong deterrent to thieves.
that landscaping is free from potential ‘hiding places’
3 Ensure
for thieves.
Wherever practical, keep trees and shrubs trimmed, improving visibility
of your home and reducing a thief’s opportunity to break in unseen.
3 Do you have security lights outside your home?
Once movement is detected sensor security lights can deter thieves for
fear of being seen. Install them around the home to keep criminals away.
3
Are external doors of solid construction?
External doors and frames should be of solid construction. The stronger
the external doors the more time a thief will need to spend breaking in,
providing the doors are locked.
3 Are quality lock sets fitted?
Install the best and most appropriate locks for your home. Be sure to remove
the keys from the locks when leaving home. If you are unsure about which
locks are suitable for your home contact a specialist locksmith.
3 Is a security/screen door installed?
Security/screen doors can be used to provide additional protection. Security/
screen doors should be designed and installed to the Australian Standards.
3 Is a peep hole (door viewer) installed?
Consider having a peephole (door viewer) installed in the door to monitor
people at the door. Do not let people inside who are unknown to you.
3 Are window lock sets fitted?
A large number of burglaries occur because windows have not been secured.
Locks are inexpensive and there are many types available to suit all styles
of windows.
3 Are entry and exit points adequately lit?
Security lighting should be projected outwards towards pathways and gates,
not towards windows and doors. If thieves attempt to enter in well lit areas
neighbours have a better chance of noticing the crime and contacting police.
Many break and enter crimes can be
described as opportunistic. Thieves
will usually target ‘easy’ premises
with low security. Use this checklist
to determine how safe your home is.
3 Are the streetlights in your area operating? High visibility will deter thieves from breaking into your home. Report any
street lights not working to your local Council (Note: some major roads are
the responsibility of the RTA)
you lock your garage/garden shed when you are away
3 Do
from home?
Garages/garden sheds are targets for thieves. They should be fitted with
solid doors and deadlocks. Most home alarms can have their monitoring
parameters extended to protect your garage too.
tools, gardening equipment, ladders, etc. locked away when
3 Are
not in use?
Garden tools, equipment and ladders should be locked away when not
in use to prevent thieves from using them to gain access to your home.
3 Are windows within the garage fitted with window lock sets?
Windows within garages and garden sheds should also be fitted with
quality lock sets to restrict access.
3
Do you leave your garage door open while at home?
If thieves can see inside your garage when passing by, an opportunity for
theft has been presented. Thieves will act quickly even if you are at home.
3
Do you have an alarm and is it activated regularly?
An Australian Standards approved alarm system will detect intruders inside
and outside your home. After locking up your home always remember to
set your alarm. Whilst at home, certain alarms can be programmed to
monitor selected rooms or zones which are not being utilised. Check with
an approved dealer for a suitable alarm that meets your needs.
3
Has your property been engraved, marked or photographed?
Engrave or etch your property with a traceable number, e.g. your driver’s
licence number for identification. Check that you have adequate levels of
insurance for the replacement of your property.
3
Do you know your neighbours well?
Communication with neighbours builds a safer community and allows
more people to watch over your home.
AVOID
• L eaving doors and windows open when you leave the
house despite how long you will be absent for.
• Leaving side gates and garden sheds unlocked.
•H
iding keys anywhere outside your home because thieves
look in all these places to gain easy access.
•P
lacing personal details such as your name, address and
telephone number on your keys.
• Leaving large amounts of cash inside your home.
• Leaving cars unlocked in the driveway.
• L eaving notes on the door stating that you are away
or when you’ll return.
• Giving personal information to a caller you don’t know.
• Letting callers know that you are home alone.
SECURITY CHECKLIST
IST
L
Y
R
O
T
N
E
NV
I
Y
T
R
E
P
O
R
P
ITEM
DESCRIPTION
MAKE AND
MODEL NUMBER
SERIAL
NUMBER
MONETARY
VALUE
The above is an EXAMPLE ONLY of an inventory.
You may wish to prepare your own inventory, based on your particular circumstances.
PROPERTY INVENTORY LIST
FORCE
N SW POLICE
Home Safe